Hi!
To avoid making the same mistake as I've done so many times before, I decided to ask for some pointers on what to learn and where to look instead of randomly clicking videos hoping the next one will be the right one.
I am currently working on a project where I want to show how a product works (animation or interactive model). Hatches opening, a light coming through a wire to show the signal flow in a cable, hydraulics moving cylinders, making a large set of objects transparent while keeping another collection visible and so on.
The product is very complex and consists of a very, very large amount of objects. So far what I've been able to do some rigging and basic animation but I realised that i should problably learn the basics of some more workflows to be able to choose the right approach to the project.
Long story short: I want to learn how to visualize complex stuff with motion and effects. I might be in a bit over my head but i really want to learn this. Any pointers would be greatly appreaciated!
Yikes, yeah that's a lot. To be able to achieve what you are after is no easy task, it requires almost every disciple in 3D.It an be done, just that you'll have to learn a lot of stuff, basically what a 3D Generalist does.
There's lots of courses here, more than enough for you to learn what you must to get the project done, just that it will take a while for you to learn. Everyone learns at a different rate, maybe you'll go lightning fast.
There's the Blender Basics, which is the very start. I bet you are further than the Basics, but I'll link it anyways:
https://cgcookie.com/courses/blender-basics-an-introduction-to-blender-4-x?playlist=20w4y8
Then there's the Fundamentals, here's a playlist of the main fundamentals:
https://cgcookie.com/playlists/15-learning-flow-the-fundamentals-to-become-a-skilled-blender-artist
Then there's separate usual stand alone courses which are great to applied what's been learned and develop your skills further:
https://cgcookie.com/courses/pothead-create-a-hard-surface-character-in-blender
https://cgcookie.com/courses/sessions-minimalism
https://cgcookie.com/courses/sessions-macro
https://cgcookie.com/courses/bug-bots-hard-surface-creature-creation-in-blender
Those are just to start with, exploring the website there's courses on rigging and animation as well, and the whole pipeline, but one step at a time.
Thanks for the response! I've started looking at the fundamentals which i so far think I've got a decent understanding of, but I might as well do the course to see if theres something there I've missed. Either way it's good practice!
I had a feeling this might not be the easiest project to start with, but it's alot of fun! I usually learn fast but I also forget fast, so we'll see haha..!
I'll put the animation/rigging on ice for a while and take a look at the other links too, once I've gone through the fundamentals.
Thank you! :)
You will want to start thinking in terms of reusability. Rigs are great for this. For example: if you have multiple hatches you can create 1 opening action and then use that for each hatch. If you need it offset then use the action in the NLA editor.
You will also want to start learning to plan your project. Gather info on ways to achieve one aspect then study just enough to make a decision. For example the groups of transparent objects there are multiple ways to go about it. If you use alpha setting then you will need to learn about drivers. If you use compositing then you will need to learn about view layers(also called render layers) and the compositor. The signal/light can be done with a mesh or grease pencil animated along the cable or mixing an emissions within the material.
By narrowing your focus you can learn things quicker. Also as you go thru courses you can play with concept or ideas that pop in your head. This will make it easier to learn and remember, but usually will be very frustrating during the beginning, because there will be failures and humans try for to long to try and fix it rather than just doing it again.
The reusability is something I haven't thought of before but it sounds like a good way to save some time! I guess I've got quite a few things to learn before then but it's definately something I'll have to keep in mind.
When it comes to the planning part, that's something I've found to be pretty hard as a beginner. I'd say i've spent some hours each week for maybe two-three months now and the first part was deciding on which software to use. Later on I also want to try to take my animations into a gaming enviroment to view in VR and so on. So far I've spend som time in Blender, Unreal Engine and Keyshot to try and figure out which software is good for what. After a while it felt like blender was the best allround software where I can build a good foundation. When i realised how extensive it is and how much there is to learn.. Well that's when i decided to sign up here, haha. :)
I think thats the part where I need the most help. Sometimes it's not untill after I've learnt something i realise there might be a better way. I had a bit of a feeling before, but after your answers here i really feel that i need to spend some time learning the basics of each segment so I can ask the right questions.
I'll try to follow your advice and write down the different steps needed for what i want to achieve and see if I can split it into a few learning-projects. Thanks for the advice! :)